Description of Business and Basis of Presentation (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Description of Business

Description of Business.    NuVasive, Inc. (the "Company" or "NuVasive") was incorporated in Delaware on July 21, 1997, and began commercializing its products in 2001. The Company is focused on developing minimally-disruptive surgical products and procedurally-integrated solutions for the spine. NuVasive's principal product offering includes a minimally-disruptive surgical platform called "Maximum Access Surgery", or "MAS^®", as well as an offering of biologics, cervical and motion preservation products. The MAS platform combines three categories of solutions that collectively minimize soft tissue disruption during spine fusion surgery, provide maximum visualization and are designed to enable reproducible outcomes for the surgeon. The platform includes the Company's proprietary nerve monitoring systems (which include software-driven nerve detection and avoidance systems (called "NVM5^®" and "NVJJB") and accompanying intra-operative monitoring ("IOM") support); MaXcess^®, an integrated split-blade retractor system; and a wide variety of specialized implants. The individual components of NuVasive's MAS platform, and many of the Company's products, can also be used in open or traditional spine surgery. The Company continues to focus significant research and development efforts to expand its MAS product platform and advance the applications of its unique technology into procedurally integrated surgical solutions. The Company dedicates significant resources toward training spine surgeons on its unique technology and products.

The Company's primary business model is to loan its MAS systems to surgeons and hospitals who purchase implants, biologics, and disposables for use in individual procedures. In addition, for larger customers, the Company places its proprietary nerve monitoring systems, MaXcess and surgical instrument sets with hospitals for an extended period at no up-front cost to them. The Company also offers a range of bone allograft in patented saline packaging, disposables and spine implants, which include its branded CoRoent^® products and fixation devices such as rods, plates and screws. Implants, biologics and disposables are shipped from the Company’s inventories. The Company sells an immaterial quantity of MAS instrument sets, MaXcess and nerve monitoring systems to hospitals.

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation.    The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned or controlled subsidiaries, collectively referred to as either NuVasive or the Company. The Company translates the financial statements of its foreign subsidiaries using end-of-period exchange rates for assets and liabilities and average exchange rates during each reporting period for results of operations. When there is a portion of equity in an acquired subsidiary not attributable, directly or indirectly, to the respective parent entity, the Company records the fair value of the noncontrolling interests at the acquisition date and classifies the amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests separately in equity in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. Any subsequent changes in a parent’s ownership interest while the parent retains its controlling financial interest in its subsidiary are accounted for as equity transactions. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Pursuant to these rules and regulations, the Company has condensed or omitted certain information and footnote disclosures it normally includes in its annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). Operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full year. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2013 included in NuVasive’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. In the opinion of Management, the condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments that are of a normal and recurring nature that are necessary for the fair presentation of the Company's financial position and of the results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented.